Pittman has provided consistency at nose guard for Navy

Navy’s defense has struggled so far this season, ranking at the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision in almost every major category. The Midshipmen stand 105th out of 129 teams in both total defense (440 yards allowed) and scoring defense (35.5 points allowed).

However, one bright spot for the Navy defense has been the steady play of nose guard Jackson Pittman, who stands fifth on the team in tackles despite constantly being double-teamed.

“Pittman has been consistent because he’s been working at his craft and is starting to get into his own style of playing,” Navy defensive line coach Sione Po’uha said.

Pittman is just the latest standout defensive lineman to come to Navy from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee. He follows in the footsteps of talented ends Jabaree Tuani and Amos Mason.

Pittman hails from Antioch, the same hometown as record-setting former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds. He’s a chip off the old block as father Jack Pittman Jr. played football at Middle Tennessee State.

Pittman was a rarity as a defensive lineman in that he was prepared to play as a plebe, appearing in 14 games. The 6-foot-3, 309-pounder showed up built like a refrigerator and has only gotten stronger since arriving in Annapolis.

Navy beat writer Bill Wagner and Sports Editor Dave Broughton recap the Notre Dame game and preview Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Navy beat writer Bill Wagner and Sports Editor Dave Broughton recap the Notre Dame game and preview Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

As a freshman, Pittman was tutored by Bernie Sarra, one of the finest nose guards in recent Navy history. Sarra served as a graduate assistant during the 2016 season and was able to teach the youngster some of the tricks of the trade.

Pittman also spent two years learning from Shaun Nua, who played nose guard in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nua left Navy during the offseason to take a similar position at Arizona State and was replaced by Po’uha.

Po’uha has a lot in common with Nua on a number of levels, beginning with the fact both are of Polynesian heritage. Nua is a Samoan native while Po’uha is the son of Tongan immigrants.

Nua played collegiately at Brigham Young University while Po’uha played at Utah. Po’uha also played in the NFL, earning a reputation as a superb run-stopper during his seven seasons as a defensive tackle with the New York Jets.

Pittman had a solid understanding of the basic fundamentals and techniques of the nose guard position so Po’uha has put more effort into helping him with the intangibles.

“I’m trying to teach Jackson how to overcome the speed bumps and road blocks that you encounter. I know because I’ve gone through them before,” Po’uha said. “I can kind of relay what those are and say this is what we can do to overcome this hurdle or that hurdle. Teaching the Xs and Os is the simple part. Trying to guide Jackson through some of the brain freezes he might have is the biggest thing I can share from my experience.”

USNA / HANDOUT

Jackson Pittman

Jackson Pittman (USNA / HANDOUT)

In Navy’s 3-4 defensive alignment the nose guard is primarily required to take on double-teams and hold the point of attack. By far the biggest job of the nose guard is to keep interior offensive linemen from reaching the second level and being able to block the middle linebackers.

Po’uha has seen Pittman become a smarter player this season, one who understands how to play the position and use craftiness to get the job done.

I would say the mental game is the biggest part of what I’ve seen develop with Pittman,” Po’uha said. “He is figuring out how to perform his assignment in order to be effective within the defense.”

One thing Pittman has learned is that size and strength can only take a player so far, especially when routinely doing battle against two blockers.

“You have to rely on your technique and not brute strength. Jackson is big and strong, but that only lasts a couple plays so he’s really relying on technique,” Po’uha said. “When you are that close to the ball you don’t have much margin for error. You have to make your reads fast and your technique has to be on point.”

Pittman matched the accomplishment of Sarra earning the starting spot at nose guard as a sophomore. He discovered how difficult it is to make plays when taking on double-teams and finished the season with just 20 tackles.

Proof that Pittman has developed as a junior comes from the fact he has already recorded 25 tackles through eight games. He has notched 19 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for loss while also being credited with a pass breakup and forced fumble.

By Paul W. Gillespie / Capital Gazette

Navy's Jackson Pittman celebrates after the defense comes up with a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter against Memphis at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

“That game experience last year gave Jackson a taste of what it’s like to play when the lights are on,” Po’uha said. “This year, he’s putting it all together and really internalizing all the techniques and making the job his own. What you see on the field this year is his ability to go out there and make some effective plays.”

Being the son of a former college football player has made Pittman a real student of the game. He asks high-level questions and is operating at “an advance placement course level of football,” according to Po’uha.

“Jackson has a real knack for football. You can see in the meeting room and on the practice field that he kind of thinks a little different,” Po’uha said. “Jackson is like a real mature player in terms of wanting to understand formations and schemes.”

RICH HISTORY: This marks the fourth football meeting between Navy and Cincinnati and the second since the schools became members of the American Athletic Conference. However, it is the first time the Midshipmen have played in the city located on the Ohio River.

Cincinnati came to Annapolis for the inaugural meeting on Oct. 5, 1940 and returned on Oct. 20, 1956. It just so happens the first time the Bearcats and Midshipmen played as conference opponents also occurred at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Now Navy travels to the Queen City for a contest at Nippert Stadium. It will be a homecoming for Navy Radio Network analyst Tom O’Brien, a Cincinnati native. O’Brien was recruited to the Naval Academy out of perennial prep powerhouse St. Xavier High by head coach Bill Elias. He was a three-year starter at defensive end for the Midshipmen from 1968 through 1970.

O’Brien is traveling to Cincinnati on Thursday to spend time with his mother, who still lives in the city and will be celebrating her 93rd birthday this weekend.

Some of the greatest players in Navy football history hailed from Cincinnati, including three first team All-Americans in Ron Beagle, Roger Staubach and Napoleon McCallum.

Beagle, a product of Purcell High, was a two-way end who was named first team All-American in 1954 and 1955. He received the Maxwell Trophy as the most outstanding player in college football as a senior and was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1986.

Staubach was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1981 for his accomplishments at Navy and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 for his 11-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. He also attended Purcell High and received both the Heisman Trophy and the Maxwell Trophy as a junior in 1963.

McCallum is still Navy’s all-time leader in all-purpose yardage and ranks second in rushing yardage. The Milford High graduate was a first team All-American in 1983 and 1985 then went on to play in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders.

Current Navy player Micah Farrar attended the aforementioned St. Xavier. The 6-foot, 189-pound sophomore is a backup cornerback.

INJURY REPORT: Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was asked to address the status of two players who have been injured since the start of the season.

Kickoff specialist J.R. Osborn has not played in a single game due to a lower body injury. Osborn, who averaged 57.3 yards on 15 kickoffs last season, probably will not return this season.

“When you have a lower body injury it’s obviously tough as a kicker with all the torque and force you’re trying to generate,” Niumatalolo said.

Junior linebacker Tyler Pistorio has been sidelined since suffering a concussion in the season opener against Hawaii. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound special teams standout has not been cleared by team trainers through the usual protocol, a clear indication the North Carolina native has absorbed multiple concussions during his playing career.

“Most likely,” Niumatalolo said when asked if Pistorio is done for the season. “We’ll wait and see. With concussions, you don’t mess around with that. We’ll go with whatever the doctors decide.”

Starting slotback CJ Williams and starting left tackle Jake Hawk both dressed for last Saturday night’s game against Notre Dame, but were not full-go. Hawk (ankle) did not play at all while Williams (upper body) got into the game for just a few plays at the very end.

“We’re just working him back slowly. Hopefully, he’ll be full speed this week,” Niumatalolo said of Williams.

Starting fullback Nelson Smith suffered an ankle injury during the first quarter on Saturday night and did not return. Smith practiced this week and is expected to play at Cincinnati.

“Nelson did some limited stuff, but from what I saw it looks like he’ll be ready to go,” Niumatalolo said.